First off special thanks go to Simon Berggren who worked together with me to invent new ways to shave off time.

This run is a start to finish play-through of Silent Hill 2 on Normal Action/Normal Riddle with a finishing time of 50 minutes and 25 seconds done in a single segment; no special weapons or endings are allowed. Though I'm not entirely satisfied with this run I do not have any intentions of playing through this game again anytime soon so I figured it would be best for me to submit the work I have done thus far. In multi-segmented test runs I've gotten a time of 49 minutes and 44 seconds so I know that under 50 minutes is definitely possible (though it requires a lot of luck; something I don't have the patience for at this point in time). As with all of the Silent Hill games the loading times between rooms is not factored into the final time (this is why the movie playtime and the actual game time differ; this is true on all versions of the game for all games in the series).

There are no real individual parts I dislike it's just that things, as a whole, could have been run through better. Regardless it's still an excellent run. Boss strategies for Eddie and Abstract Daddy are unique to me; I have no knowledge of anyone before me playing through them in that way. Healing items were kept to a minimum; however the times I did heal were necessary. In this particular game your current level of health has an effect on how long you can sprint for (i.e. you'll run faster for longer periods of time at full health). Due to this fact it is important to maintain full health through any areas of the game that require a lot of sprinting. The main section of the game where this holds true is right after the hospital. The events in the game in the hospital cause you to lose most of your health anyways (the scene were you meet pyramid head on the roof; it takes most of your health down automatically) so it's important to make sure you have full health before you leave the hospital (I heal using the R3 button in case you didn't know; it's a quick restore key for those unfamiliar with the button configuration in this game).

I'd also like to make note of one particular trick utilized in this run that I learned from Simon Berggren. When I leave the hospital you'll notice I have my flashlight off and ever so often a message that "it's too dark to read the map" is displayed quite often. The reason for this is that when you're running along the open streets and you run out of stamina (causing you to jog rather than sprint) doing that trick fills it up again. It's a neat little trick that saves around 30 or so seconds from the total time in the run. There are many little things scattered throughout the game that shave off seconds that you may not be able to pick up on; I won't discuss them all here though so if you find them then good for you.

Though I have my grips with this run it's still the current best in the world and, though I know I can shave off around 30-45 seconds, until someone beats me I doubt I'll play it again. I estimate that the best possible time for this game, under the Normal/Normal settings, assuming there are no more time saving tricks to be found is approximately between 49:15-49:30 (and it would require an insane amount of luck for certain parts of the game).

I hope you enjoy watching this video and if you have any questions/comments/suggestions etc... please e-mail them to me: 19duke84@gmail.com

This run is for Maria's quest (Born from a wish) on the Greatest Hits (ps2) and Xbox versions of Silent Hill 2. This is a start to finish single-segmented run done on Hard mode in a time of 6 minutes and 32 seconds. For those not familiar with the series none of the Silent Hill games count load times and cutscenes into the final time calculation (if you weren't aware of this before then now you are).

Overall this was a decent run (I'm never really satisfied with anything I do) completed with no health, weapons used or needless item pickups (the 8 items I pickup over the course of the run are all necessary). The damage I took was what makes this particular run frustrating as all heck to speedrun. Essentially all damage taken, from what I've learned, is unavoidable when taking the fastest route. I take two hits on the way to the roach corridor (the worst part of this mini-game) which normally wouldn't have been taken; I just got unlucky. The problem is that lack of luck was made up for in the roach corridor where I got very lucky in taken minimal damage (by minimal I mean less than normal; it's not uncommon to take 8 hits in that corridor as you have to pass through it twice and all hits taken are apparently random on hard mode).

Anyone who wishes to challenge this run will soon learn how much of a pain it really can be.:-)

If anyone has any suggestions, comments or questions you can e-mail them to me.

WHY:

It's my last work connected with "Silent Hill 2", so I especially wanted to give the best result which was possible to get. After getting record times in the other categories in this game, I've created a new one by myself - an UNERROR/ "flawless" run with NO MISTAKES at all. It means off course also the best time ever in completing "Silent Hill 2" (ABSOLUTE BEST TIME/MULTI run). I've improved my old WR time in this category by 1:07 (from 46:44 to 45:37).

But the first/main/major reason of coming back to this run/category is that I've wanted to create the run from which I could've been satisfied (knowing that I've made everything to optimize my run and get the best physical time in the game). It means that I'm highly interested in holding this record at least for a long period of time (frankly: forever), as I don't plan to come back to this title again (I consider coming back to that game only if someone gets my times).

Another - but no less important - matter is that I've recorded this run to show that whatever the version is - it makes no difference for me. If the run is "flawless" it is the best anyway.

HISTORY:

I used to finish my adventures in "Silent Hill 2" by summarising my work in MULTI mode - it's the same story also this time. It has happened because I'd had no longer motivation to play again and again in SINGLE mode - just to improve my score by 1,2 or 4 seconds with no rivals nearby (no competition at all).

Duke has ended his career in PC version just when he found out about my previous WORLD RECORD from MULTI run/mode :P (46:44). He has managed to get 47:49 in this particular category. So that's another reason why I wasn't forced to show 100 % of my skills and end my "meeting" with SINGLE gaming so early. Now my time (in MULTI) is even 2:12 faster than his score.

In SINGLE mode I have to count his time from PS2 version (his time from PC version was apparently not good enough) which means my time has beaten his up by 2:31.

I'm the records holder of this game and if he wants to take over them he must beat up my times :P, so I could bring them back again :P. To Duke: "If you even get any of my records don't be disappointed if I get them back earlier than you think".

THIS RUN:

This specific run is a start to finish play-through of Silent Hill 2 on Normal Action/Normal Riddle with a finishing time of 45 minutes and 37 done in a MULTI mode; no special weapons or endings are allowed.

It's a NEW WORLD RECORD in finishing "Silent Hill 2" in this mode (previous - was also mine but I've improved the old one (by 1:07) before it has been published).

First "topic" - MISTAKES: no mistakes at all. Check it by yourself to get my point. Off course I don't say that it's not possible to be a little bit quicker. I estimate that 0,5-1 s. is all you can gain from every part/ location of the game. I wasn't just patient enough to play the same segment 500 times to "shave" another 0,1 - 0.2 s. from the whole trial.

"Next!" - So if the case "mistakes" is closed :P :) I can get to some key points which means the new strategies involved.

MARIA DAEMON - flawless victory: 3 hits (actually there is no way of doing it by less hits and faster too - Duke method also allows to do it by 3 hits but during my tests I've found out that it's ineffective and also a slower one - the chance that Maria will come exactly where she should be is really paltry and even then my method is a better one). All shots were made one by one which means optimized way of dealing with her. Still you have to be lucky to even doing what you have to do kill her with just 3 shots and in 16 s (WR) (counting also the scene after the battle). I've used bed as a cover and I didn't have worry as much as Duke when he was doing his tactics (there are other minuses of his strategy but I guess everything will be quite visible on our videos).

THE HANGING MEN - flawless victory: this strategy is based on risk. Who doesn't like risking, won't win what he wants. During my playing when I see the opportunity to gain some "extra" time, I don't miss such a chance (I've involved it even in my SINGLE run).

Killing "The Hanging Men" only by 9 shots (WR) is extremely hard and is also a risky one. It happens that the battle lasts less than 30 s. (comparing: Duke's time at this fight is just 42 s. ). Still it wouldn't be possible without discovering the weakness of these "guys" (apparently Duke hasn't found out about that).

When I get unlucky choosing the "risky thing" I know I'll make it next time. It's also a part of the game. I consider using only "safe" methods as a loss of possibilities/opportunities.

2PH - flawless victory: my favourite one:P:));). I'm the specialist when it comes to these 2 "Pyramid Thing". I've invented my own strategy against them and moreover it works perfectly (like it was with MARIA DAEMON). It is also a weaker side of my opponent - Duke. I had my trials when I didn't get hit at all (even in my SINGLE runs). My "normal" time of fighting with them amount 20-24 seconds (WR) ( I mean the "pure" time of battling) - it's also the best possible time to get here. Duke has lost 39 seconds (only counting the "pure" time of fighting) during his 50:25 attempt.

PH - flawless victory: my time of battle 1:00 - 1:01 (at once), Duke's: 1:05.

EDDIE - one hit taken (like Duke; it's also the reason why at the "GAME RESULT" I have 15 pts of total damage( so treat it as zero)) because with this tactics the probability of getting punched by Eddie is "fifty fifty" (with no influence from the player), besides everything went perfect. In every part I was tens of a second quicker - the time of reaction was the matter. But as I know from my experience when you play in a SINGLE mode, at the end you're starting to react (most of the times) a bit slower (it's not a general if it comes to me but it happens).

ABSTRACT DADDY - the same (as Duke).

The ones I've invented are mostly quicker than the ones which Duke has figured out. Some others have guaranteed my safety but were just unuseful to that task.

All fights were executed as fast as possible.

SUMMARY:

As you will see I've used all legal "shaves" to cut some time off. I estimate that thanx to that I've "spared" ca. 50 s., so transferring this result to the SINGLE mode the score would be ca. 46:27.

I can predict that the best possible result to get (with these settings) is ca. 45:20 and it's possible ONLY with the maximum amount of luck in every puzzle and with fights done at least as good as I did. Even so, it's a God damn good run with no mistakes and no damages taken (except these necessary ones) - "flawless victory":P :] (Shang Tsung).

If anyone has any suggestions, comments or questions just let me know: introverder667@wp.pl.

WHY:

Because I've wanted to give some physical proof of my skills. Through all these games which I've done I wasn't able to record a SINGLE run because of the weakness of my PC (only short ones like the "Maria Quest"(which is a SUPPLEMENT to the main part) - you know it also from SDA). Now when the situation has changed I see nothing against publishing my run which is from now on the best accomplishment made ever in this game and with this mode. This run is a start to finish play-through of Silent Hill 2 on Normal Action/Normal Riddle with a finishing time of 47 minutes and 54 seconds done in a single segment; no special weapons or endings are allowed.

HISTORY:

To know what I'm talking about you have to know that my previous WR in this category was established at 48:46 (with a screenshot as a proof). I've submitted my work with a MULTI run which by the way is waiting for publishing (what's the time and what will be the final time - you'll see). Then I had this break (having the 2 of 3 WR's with the last "non-recordable" I had no other choice) and after getting a new HARDWARE I was finally able to record my run.

My purpose was to get at least my previous unofficial WR time - it means 48:46. The second goal was to get the time under 48 minutes. I've had a deep belief that I'll manage to get under this "hardcore" border. All aims I've done successfully.

THIS RUN:

This specific run is only one of my best. My possibilities are under 47:40 score but it's possible ONLY with an appropriate amount of luck for which I don't have a patience at this moment. I feel just burned out with this title.

All errors you'll see in the movie, so there's no sense of speaking about them here (it excludes fights with bosses and there was only one "bigger"). I'll concentrate all my efforts on the battles with bosses. I can be proud of them. - all done how I've planned them.

I think that many hardcore players have been thinking if it's possible to fight more effectively. Now comes the answer. I've "shaved" the battle-time ca. 30 seconds, so I guess it's a great improvement.

To illustrate what I'm talking about I give you some numbers which are the times of all fights made during the game (comparing it to the times from Duke's run):

PH - Introverder: 1:01 - 1:02, Duke 1:05

3 Hanging Men - Intro: 32s/9 shots, D: 42s/11 shots

AD - the same

Eddie - the same

2PH - Intro: 23 or 24, D: 42-44 ("pure" time of battling)

"MARIA DAEMON" - the same (if it comes to the time).

If it comes to "The 3 Hanging Men Battle" I doubt that anybody is using the "9-shots strategy" against them (especially in the SINGLE run). It's too much risky, too complicated to incorporate and require a maximum level of precision and coordination. There is no fucking way of doing it faster either. Thanks to this method I've found some "invisible" seconds to "spare" which had let me took the score under 48 minutes.

Talking about "The Battle With Maria Daemon" I have to say that maybe the time looks similarly but the way of fighting is completely different. It's a lot of safer either. The Duke's method looks archaic and the probability of "happy-ending" with this method is like 1 to 10 (by 3 shots and in 20 s.), so that's why I didn't bother with that technique. With a lot of bigger chance to finish the battle with the same time as Duke I've used bed as a cover. It's much more easy, much more safe and even faster method.

Now it's the time for my "speciality" "The Battle With 2 Pyramids Heads". Watching the problems which Duke had during his run I've decided to find a better way to get rid of these reptiles. Now I can say that my technique of fighting is COMPLETELY different and easier. Again, it's much more safe and if it comes to the time I've "divided" the time by 2. I've found out the weakness of these two and took advantage of that. I could give many more details but I don't want to make someone's path to easy. It's my "secret weapon" and this is sth which I want to keep for myself :P.

Now, there's a time for a few final words:

I can predict that the score would be better by 29s. with the maximum level of luck, so the "real" time of this "run" is 47:25. The majority of the time was lost because of that. Still, when you play you don't know what will happen.

At this level the amount of luck determines the final time as a main "referee".

I'm up to every possible competition. This would be a great opportunity for me to upgrade to a higher levels of playing. Where there are no other competitors, there's no motivation of getting better.

If anyone has any suggestions, comments or questions just let me know: introverder667@wp.pl .

P.S. There is one difference between the PS2 and PC versions: on PS2 you have to equip/unequip/change the weapons on your menu-inventory screen, so it takes some additional time which I've counted as ca. 26 seconds.

FIRST: the reason why I've come back to this game:

Having read some notes about supposedly "equality" of my and Duke's runs (my - 6:29, Duke - 6:32), I've decided to give U (it's spelled "you") the strongest argument which is possible to give in this annoying discussion.

HISTORY:

I'm just after my run of 6:23 - which is 6 seconds quicker than my previous WORLD RECORD in this category and 9 seconds than Duke's run.

I didn't expect such a damn good performance after a long break in playing. Finally, I'm quite satisfied with this run which is/means my normal run.

Now I make very often times under 6:30 without any problem. 6:32 for some stage of my playing in "MARIA QUEST" was a decent run but then I've managed to break the WORLD RECORD to this task. After returning to playing I've figured out that this time (6:29 or 6:32) is not a problem but the matter of luck. Only in my second run I was able to get 6:40, few runs after I've made some impressive run.

6:23 - it isn't my only nice score. Before achieving 6:23 I've had the "runs": 6.26,6.27, 6.29, many attempts ca. 6:30 (due to the numbers of this games I can't give the exact figure:P).

But it's the first one I really enjoy (I'm very scaring judge;)). As U'll see this run is visible faster than the OLD world record - 6:32 (Duke) and even better than my current WORLD RECORD - 6:29.

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

As we're talking about the records, I've got some other WORLD RECORD's in the remaining categories of this game:

- 46:44 - MULTI mode/ BEST TIME of completing "Silent Hill 2" (I know that Duke's best time in this category is 47:49 - if nothing changed)
- 48:46 - SINGLE mode -II-.

Now it's the time to my run:

As I've said I'm quite proud/pleased of this run (which is unnormal situation:P). For me, I estimate that the best time to get is ca. 6:20 because my "losses":

- 4 seconds due to the lack of luck ("COCKROACH ROOM" - 6 bites (best option - 2) - 1 second for each bite). I could have played it million times and only then I would've got "2-bites-run".

To make it more clear, I've collected 20 training "runs" through this fucking corridor and that's what I got (first number means the overall amount of bites, the figure in bracket is the number of bites on my way to the "white liquid"):

3(1), 7(2), 4(2), 11(3)-DEATH, 9(5), 12 or 13-DEATH, 4(2), 7(2), 8(2), 3(0), 6(2), 8 or 9(1), 6(2), 8(2), 6(2), 4(1), 7(1), 4(2), 4(2), 7(2), 10(3) => 138/140 bites : 20 (runs) = 6.9/7.0 bites for a "full" run.

All this numbers are generated random. The corridor is to narrow to pass by the ROACHES. It's not up to me or anybody to avoid them. Still, the situation when U get bitten less than 3 times happens almost never (during my TEST 0 times).

Probably if I were so lucky as Duke was, my time would be about or perhaps under 6:20. These bites cannot be considered as a mistake anyways.

- a little bit more than 1 s. because of my only "mistake" (you won't miss it - I was forced to take a roundabout way (the passage was almost blocked) and had some problems with findind the door). In any other situation everything is made as "smooth" as it's possible.

I've eliminated all "stops" during my "game", always taking the optimal/best way of movements. All my "stops" were taken to avoid contacting with a wall/door.

Duke has made let's say ca. 5 little "mistakes" (I've analyzed his whole "game"). Most of them are quite similar: stopping "for a while", correcting the position to the subject or (at least once) the problem with finding the door.

I've made some "extra" time because of not touching walls/subjects on my way. When I had a chance to not coming to close to the item, I was stopping and from that place I took what I needed.

Many places I've just passed by, that's why sometimes U won't see a damn thing in front of you (still U'll see much more than on the Duke's run :P) - who needs a camera anyway :D.

My time indicates that I'm better now than before the break and second thing is that I'm working now on a better hardware. Earlier I was losing some valuable time while "menu searching". With at last "fluent" game working I'm able to give all I have the best (full level of my skills). On this level it's important to predict all the movements before taking them (to know when to "click" on a door) .

FINAL WORDS:

I would like to thank my colleague R4Zi3L (always thinking how to write it down correctly, I'm sure he forgive me that;):)) who was helping me during this short journey.

We represent our country - POLAND and we just wanted to show that in my native land are many great players.

If anyone has any suggestions, comments or questions just let me know: introverder667@wp.pl.